SCRIPTURE: 1Samuel (NIV) 3:8 The LORD called Samuel a third time, and Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” Then Eli realized that the LORD was calling the boy. 9 So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. 10 The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” 11 And the LORD said to Samuel…
OBSERVATION: God was speaking! The God of creation was speaking to a young boy. Samuel did not yet recognize God’s voice and thought the old priest, Eli, was calling him. After his third trip to check on Eli, Eli realized that God was calling Samuel. So, he told Samuel how to respond. And God cared enough that He called out a fourth time!
What Samuel heard was important, but what God heard was even more important! First, God heard one of his created beings say, “LORD, I hear you.” God had been hearing people cry out to Him, but here was a man that could hear God call out to him! Second, God heard a man, created in His image say, “What you say is important. I am listening.” God had been listening to desperate people call to him with what was important to them. Here was a young man willing to let God tell him what was important to God. Samuel was saying, I can sleep later; hearing what you have to say is more important than sleep. Third, God heard a young man say, “I am your servant. I will follow through with your instructions.” I will honor your word.
APPLICATION: I know God hears me. It is important that God knows that I hear Him!
PRAYER: Holy Spirit, make me like Samuel. I know you like to hear me come to you with my praise and worship, yes and with my needs. But when it comes to my wants and needs, it is more important that I hear your word, then you hear my words. Amen
Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!
On Facebook: Today’s SOAP from Pastor Leon
NOTE: dear SOAP READING friends; I trust this repeated SOAP burns in your heart as it did mine. It speaks to the heart of our relationship with the Great God of Glory! What a special privilege is ours! But I fear we often fall into the temptation to see His as the answer to all our needs, rather than seeing ourselves as the ones He created for His glory. His will has priority over our desires! Leon
SOAPs by Pastor Leon 